The Vance County Board of Education has approved Hunter Jenks as the new head football coach at Vance County High School. He will also teach physical education at the school.
Coach Jenks makes his way to Vance County with an impressive background as both a player and a coach. A Wake Forest native, Jenks was a standout four-sport letterman at Wake Forest-Rolesville High School before playing college football as an offensive lineman at Elon University. At Clayton, Coach Jenks took over for a Comets program coming off a 3-8 season and recorded a 28-10 record over three seasons including a 13-1 record in 2017. That season, he led the Comets to an undefeated regular season and a Greater Neuse 3A Conference Championship before falling 38-31 to Eastern Guilford in the third round of the NCHSAA playoffs.
Coach Jenks was recognized as the Greater Neuse Conference and Johnston County Coach of the Year in 2017 for his efforts. He has also coached 31 players who have earned athletic scholarships and multiple participants in the Border Bowl, Shrine Bowl, East-West All-Star Game, USA Bowl, Under Armour All-American Game, and U.S. Army All-American Game.
“We had many outstanding candidates, but it became clearly apparent that Hunter Jenks is the right person to lead our football program,” Athletic Director Joe Sharrow said of the coaching search. “Coach Jenks is a great leader and a proven coach who will serve as a tremendous role model for our students. He is football savvy, has a passion for teaching, and has demonstrated the ability to establish positive relationships with students, staff, parents, and community members. I have no doubt he will be a strong addition to the Viper family.”
Jenks will replace Darry Ragland, who resigned in January after leading the Vipers to a 13-10 record over two seasons. The Vipers graduated seventeen seniors and are expecting many new contributors at key positions.
“I am excited and honored to be the next head coach at Vance County,” Jenks said in a statement. “Growing up and coaching in the area, I know the potential Vance County has in football. When it’s safe and allowed, I very much look forward to developing relationships with the players, families, and community members.”
The Vipers are hopeful to open the 2020 football season as scheduled on the road at Bunn High School on August 21.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/coachscornerfeaturedimage.jpg265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2020-06-30 13:10:212020-06-30 13:10:21Coach’s Corner 06/30/20: Hunter Jenks Named New VCHS Head Football Coach
John Swofford, the longest-tenured commissioner in the 67-year history of the Atlantic Coast Conference, announced today that the 2020-21 athletic year will be the last of his 24 years of service. Swofford will continue in the Commissioner’s chair until his successor is installed and will assist with the transition as needed.
As the fourth commissioner of the ACC, Swofford guided the league to unprecedented stability, success and growth, expanding from nine to 15 members beginning with Miami and Virginia Tech in 2004, quickly followed by Boston College and later joined by Pitt, Syracuse, Notre Dame and Louisville.
John Swofford, the longest-tenured commissioner in the 67-year history of the Atlantic Coast Conference, announced today that the 2020-21 athletic year will be the last of his 24 years of service (Photo by Sara D. Davis, the ACC.com)
“It has been a privilege to be a part of the ACC for over five decades and my respect and appreciation for those associated with the league throughout its history is immeasurable,” said Swofford. “Having been an ACC student-athlete, athletics director and commissioner has been an absolute honor. There are immediate challenges that face not only college athletics, but our entire country, and I will continue to do my very best to help guide the conference in these unprecedented times through the remainder of my tenure. Nora and I have been planning for this to be my last year for some time, and I look forward to enjoying the remarkable friendships and memories I’ve been blessed with long after I leave this chair.”
Swofford’s impact has been felt far beyond the ACC footprint. He played a key role in the evolution of the College Football Playoff, as well as being a leading advocate for NCAA legislation that allows Autonomy 5 conferences to better address the needs of their institutions, athletic programs and student-athletes. He was instrumental in starting the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, now an early-season staple for both men’s and women’s college basketball, and oversaw the development of the ACC Football Championship Game.
During his tenure, he hired the league’s first full-time women’s basketball administrator, started the ACC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and implemented the annual ACC Mental Health and Wellness Summit.
Kent Syverud, Chancellor of Syracuse University and the Chair of the ACC Board of Directors, praised Commissioner Swofford’s character and service.
“John Swofford, in his historic tenure, has come to embody the very best of the ACC,” Syverud said. “The Conference has been dramatically enhanced in every way during the last quarter-century, especially in its balance of academics and athletics. All 15 Presidents of the Conference, like their universities, are deeply grateful to John for his transformative leadership.”
A native of North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, where he was a three-sport most valuable player and all-state quarterback, Swofford attended the University of North Carolina on a Morehead Scholarship as part of head coach Bill Dooley’s first football recruiting class. In addition to earning a spot on the ACC Academic Honor Roll as a student-athlete, he started at quarterback as a sophomore and part of his junior year, and then finished his career as a defensive back for UNC’s 1971 ACC Championship team. He played in the Peach Bowl as a junior and the Gator Bowl as a senior.
Swofford received his Master’s in Athletics Administration from Ohio University. His first job in college athletics came at the University of Virginia — where he worked under future ACC Commissioner Gene Corrigan — before returning to North Carolina.
In 1980, at the age of 31, Swofford was named the athletics director at his alma mater. He held that post for 17 years. As athletics director, Swofford’s teams won more ACC and NCAA championships than any other athletic director in ACC history, a record that still stands. In 1994, Carolina won the Sears Director’s Cup, awarded to the top overall athletics program in the nation, the only ACC program to ever win that award.
At the time he became athletics director, North Carolina had not won a national championship in any sport since 1957. The Tar Heels won at least one national title every year of Swofford’s tenure. During his time in Chapel Hill, Carolina’s women’s sports programs soared to unprecedented heights, winning 65 ACC and 17 NCAA Championships. Swofford also hired six head coaches that went on to win national championships. In 1981, he hired the first Black head coach in the ACC.
Swofford is a member of five Halls of Fame — the NACDA Hall of Fame, the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame, the North Carolina High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame, the Chick-fil-A Bowl Hall of Fame, and the Wilkes County Hall of Fame. He has been awarded the Corbett Award, which is the highest administrative honor given nationally to a collegiate athletics administrator. Swofford has received the Homer Rice Award from the Division 1A Athletic Directors’ Association and is a recipient of the Ohio University Distinguished Alumnus Award. In 2011, he also received one of Greensboro’s Father of the Year Awards.
Swofford and his wife, Nora, will continue to reside in Greensboro, North Carolina. Together, they have three children — Autumn and her husband, Sherman Wooden, who have three children, Maya, Lyla and Lincoln; Chad and his wife, Caitlyn, who have one child, Owen and another due in September; and Amie and her husband, Mike Caudle, who have two children, Emerson and Colson.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/John-Swofford.jpg265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2020-06-25 14:22:432020-06-25 14:22:43ACC Commissioner John Swofford Announces Plans for Retirement
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— story and pictures by Patrick Magoon (patrickmagoon.com) of WIZS — Patrick Magoon is a recent UNC-C communications graduate looking to build his sports portfolio by writing and taking photos for WIZS
Over the weekend, WakeMed Soccer Park hosted a monumental NCAA championship matchup between the Virginia Cavaliers and the visiting Georgetown Hoyas. It was a long, high-scoring affair between two top-tier soccer squads. Both teams spent the first 90 minutes trading goals, which called for two overtime periods and an extended run of penalty kicks to determine a winner. Here is what I experienced as a photographer on the sideline.
I arrive at the soccer complex approximately 45 minutes before kickoff. I walked towards the stadium and quickly realized I was entering a scene unparalleled to previous sporting events. Although I have attended numerous professional soccer games at WakeMed Soccer Park, the vibes were better than I imagined.
To my right, a sea of passionate college fans bundled up in college fan gear swarmed the gates at the main entrance. Without delay, I fast-walked to the media check-in table. An older, bearded man with a long list of names handed me a media pass and blue sticker to wrap around my sleeve. My path to the field was located at the double door entrance to the locker rooms.
Before walking onto the cold, moist turf field, I quickly scanned the crowd and soaked in my surroundings. The cool air comprised of ecstatic cheering and smoke from the kitchens. I look to my right, and I see a student-filled section of seats swarmed by the colors of Virginia. Then I look to my left and saw another section controlled by students cheering on the Hoyas.
The warmup period looked nearly identical to every other soccer event I have covered and wasn’t easy to photograph. Players stretched, shared a laugh, took some shots on frame, and practiced a series of one-touch passing drills.
Moments later, the referee blew his whistle, and both teams wasted no time moving the ball swiftly up and down the sideline. I saw plenty of action in both penalty areas through the use of several creative set pieces and strategic corner kicks.
Most of the match looked clean, but players didn’t shy away from some slight pushing and assertive sliding to break up passes. Healthy competition kept the game close, which forced both coaches to adjust their gameplan to avoid falling behind.
Then the pace of the match changed. Crisp passes turned to sloppy kicks as both teams desperately tried to hold their lead in the final fifteen minutes of regular time. I heard numerous players yelling and projecting a few vulgar words at sideline referees. Players fell like dominoes while trying to create scoring opportunities. For a few minutes, I thought the main referee was close to losing control of the game, but he managed bookings accordingly and disciplined players promptly. Fans sat on the edge of their seats anxiously waiting for the outcome of the game.
In the end, the Hoyas outlasted the Cavaliers in penalty kicks and capped off a 17-win streak with their first championship trophy.
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-Information courtesy the NCHSAA
The North Carolina High School Athletic Association has released the ‘Big-Eight’ All-Conference standings for 2019, and Vance County High School shines with two ‘player of the year’ honorees.
In football, Viper quarterback Samein Burwell was named ‘Offensive Player of the Year,’ while Emani Foster was awarded the coveted ‘Player of the Year’ title in volleyball.
The ‘Big-Eight’ 3A Conference includes VCHS, Southern Durham High School, Northwood High School, Northern Durham High School, Orange High School, East Chapel Hill High School, Cedar Ridge High School and Chapel Hill High School.
The list of VCHS student-athletes that made all-conference and honorable mention status in football, volleyball and soccer includes:
2019 ‘BIG-EIGHT’ 3A FOOTBALL
Samein Burwell – ‘Offensive Player of the Year’
ALL-CONFERENCE:
Samein Burwell, Noah Terry, Phadol Jordan, TaQuan Lyons, Davonte Evans, Daunta Wimbush, Kemarreus Jones and William Hawkins IV
HONORABLE MENTION:
Demarius Harris, Jy’Kavious Judkins and Malik Williams
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— story and pictures by Patrick Magoon (patrickmagoon.com) of WIZS — Patrick Magoon is a recent UNC-C communications graduate looking to build his sports portfolio by writing and taking photos for WIZS
In a sloppy, mistake-filled fight between two teams recovering from disappointing loses, Duke overcame its offensive woes in crunch time to defeat the Miami Hurricanes and finish their season with a not-so-great-but-optimistic-for-the-future record of 5-7 (3-5 Atlantic Coast Conference).
Duke Blue Devils quarterback Quentin Harris finished his college career on a high note, leading two fourth-quarter touchdown drives and ending an unpleasant five-game losing streak.
A dominant nine-sack defensive performance led by defensive end Chris Rumph II, who recorded a team-high 3.5 sacks, allowed just two touchdowns through four quarters of football.
Here are game grades from Saturday’s win:
Offensive line: C-
Duke’s offensive line crumbled under pressure multiple times, which allowed Miami’s defense to rack up six sacks and 10 TFL.
Quarterback: C+
Although Quentin Harris put on an impressive show in the fourth quarter, we cannot ignore his poor execution on several passing plays in the first half. Numerous passes sailed over the head of the intended receiver and Duke’s offensive unit often appeared disoriented from pre-snap motions. Harris completed just 10-of-24 passes for 156 yards and rushed for 49 yards and a touchdown.
Wide receivers: B-
The wide receiver group led by Jalon Calhoun combined for 156 yards and averaged 15.6 yards per reception. Despite some clear instances of miscommunication between Harris and his receivers, the group made some big plays in dreary weather.
Running backs: B
A relentless rushing attack in tough conditions resulted in a pair of touchdowns, which helped the Blue Devils seal the win. Duke outran Miami 131-98 with help from Mataeo Durant, who executed an impressive 42-yard run through traffic.
Defensive line/linebackers: B+
Duke’s stout defensive line and talented group of linebackers demonstrated superior situation awareness by constantly changing their stances to better contain Miami’s ground game. With strength and good communication, Duke’s front seven prevented the Hurricanes from reaching triple-digit rushing totals. After giving up an average of 42 points per game each of the last three weeks, a refreshed Blue Devils showed out to give fans hope for better seasons to come.
Cornerbacks: B+
Members of the secondary looked solid in man coverage, batting down six passes and forcing opposing receivers out of position. With their help, the Blue Devils gave up just one passing touchdown.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Duke-Football-Nov.-2019.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2019-12-02 16:57:512019-12-02 16:57:51Duke Football Ends Season With Win Against Miami
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https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/WIZS-BLUE-LOGO.png294560Charlenehttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngCharlene2019-11-14 15:34:552019-11-14 15:34:55Sports Mayhem Interview with Star Guard Taylor Bell and AD and Head Coach – Crossroads Christian Colts
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— story and pictures by Patrick Magoon (patrickmagoon.com) of WIZS — Patrick Magoon is a recent UNC-C communications graduate looking to build his sports portfolio by writing and taking photos for WIZS
On a warm, cloudy Saturday afternoon at Richardson Stadium in Charlotte, NC, the Charlotte 49ers stunned the visiting North Texas football team with an exciting bounce-back win. Despite reaching the end zone just once in the first half, the 49ers managed to seal a one-point win in crunch time. Here is how it went down.
North Texas got off to a hot start, moving the ball efficiently through the air. Quarterback Mason Fine threw back-to-back touchdown passes – one for 40 yards, and another went for 64 yards. In both cases, North Texas marched down the field in less than a minute-and-a-half.
Charlotte, in the first quarter, could not match North Texas’ dynamic passing attack, so they focused on moving the ball swiftly, through the ground game. Unfortunately, their success was insignificant. At the start of the second quarter, Charlotte had zero points and was down two scores.
Looking for answers, the 49ers relied heavily on the strength and quick feet of star running back Benny Lemay, who controlled the pace of Charlotte’s offensive unit. In total, he ran 30 times for 155 yards, which helped him reach the end zone twice.
Charlotte’s first scoring drive necessitated 13 plays and took just under six minutes off the game clock. Of those 13 plays, eight of them were handoffs to Lemay. Once Charlotte got within five yards of the goal line, Lemay exited the game briefly to catch his breath and Ishod Finger plowed his way into the end zone. However, upon further review, the call was overturned. Lemay came back out and finished the drive with a 1-yard rushing touchdown.
After the half, a renovated Charlotte offense took the field. Quarterback Chris Reynolds read the defense well and slung with football with accuracy. Several big plays including a 52-yard touchdown pass and a 29-yard Reynolds rushing touchdown shrunk North Texas’ lead to just one score.
When North Texas missed a field goal at the top of the fourth quarter, the 49ers found themselves in an excellent position to make a late push for the win. Charlotte, in the fourth quarter, outscored North Texas, 18-3, which secured the memorable victory.
Charlotte’s latest victory ended a four-game losing streak and claimed the college’s first win in C-USA (1-3 overall).
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Charlotte-49ers-Oct-2019.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2019-10-28 16:54:582019-10-28 16:54:58Charlotte 49ers End Losing Streak With Win Against North Texas
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-Information courtesy Tara Goolsby, Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Facilities Supervisor, Aycock Recreation Center
Bring your friends and family out to enjoy some great football games hosted by your Tri-City Seahawks on Saturday, November 2, 2019, at Vance County Middle School, 293 Warrenton Road in Henderson.
Cost is $5 for adults; $2 for school-age children. Kids under age 6 are free.
There will be a tribute to breast cancer survivors, a halftime performance by the Vance County High School Showtime Marching Machine, vendors, concessions and Tri-City Seahawks merchandise available for purchase.
T-shirts in sizes small – 3XL will be available for $10.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Tri-City-Seahawks-Homecoming-2019.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2019-10-15 17:02:122019-11-06 11:33:34Tri-City Seahawks to Hold Games, First Homecoming Event
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— story and pictures by Patrick Magoon (patrickmagoon.com) of WIZS — Patrick Magoon is a recent UNC-C communications graduate looking to build his sports portfolio by writing and taking photos for WIZS
Despite an uncomfortably slow and disheartening first three quarters for Duke’s offense, the team erased Pittsburgh’s early 23-point lead within the final fifteen minutes and kept the game at an equal level until the Panthers pieced together a game-winning offensive series with just under 50 seconds left on the clock.
Sometimes a slow start can make a big difference in the end.
Duke left the half confused and looking for answers after conceding 19 points and successfully scoring points on just one offensive series. Two early interceptions and a costly fumble recovered by Pittsburgh in the first quarter had Duke down ten and fighting a treacherous uphill battle for the remained of the game.
While Pittsburgh’s ground game also struggled against the Blue Devils’ solid defensive line at times, Duke’s series of offensive woes trumped the failed drives of the visiting Panthers. Once Pittsburgh got on a roll, Duke couldn’t keep up.
The Panthers, at the top of the third quarter, extended their lead to 23 points after capping off a 2-play, 7-yard offensive series with a Nakia Griffin-Stewart 4-yard touchdown catch. Duke’s first touchdown of the night didn’t come until the final three minutes of the third quarter when Quentin Harris rushed into the endzone for a 4-yard score.
But wait, the Blue Devils’ scoring efforts didn’t stop there. Oddly enough, the best was yet to come.
Duke outscored the Panthers 20-7 in the fourth quarter after capitalizing on three careless turnovers. The Blue Devils recovered a fumble, which resulted in a triumphant 9-play, 43-yard touchdown drive. After the successful completion of the two-point attempt, Pittsburgh’s lead shrunk to just one score. With approximately 13 minutes left on the scoreboard, Duke had plenty of time to keep the momentum churning and fight for the lead in crunch time.
Minutes later, Pittsburgh’s offense returned to the field and made another brutal mistake. Pickett’s pass was picked off by Duke’s Edgar Cerenord, who returned it to the 25-yard line. The late turnover set up a 7-play, 25-yard scoring play, which gave Duke its first lead of the game.
With time running out, the Panthers, in 47 seconds, drove the ball 82 yards down the field. Pittsburgh’s V’Lique Carter evaded multiple tackles and took the ball 26 yards to the end zone, which secured the win.
Duke showed superior toughness and determination but never fully recovered from their careless first-half mistakes.
Best offensive performances
Duke: RB Deon Jackson (60 yards rushing and 47 yards receiving), Aaron Young (32 yards receiving), and Jalon Calhoun (27 yards receiving).
Pittsburgh: Todd Sibley Jr. (60 yards rushing), V’Lique Carter (18 yards rushing), Taysir Mack (85 yards receiving), and Maurice Ffrench (54 yards receiving).
Best defensive performances
Duke: Koby Quansah (11 tackles, one for a loss), Brandon Hill (10 tackles, one for a loss), Victor Dimukeje (two tackles, both sacks) and Marquis Waters (nine tackles, 0.5 for a loss).
Pittsburgh: Paris Ford (12 tackles, one touchdown), Saleem Brightwell (12 tackles), Kylan Johnson (nine tackles, one for a loss, and one PD), and Patrick Jones II (six tackles, two sacks)
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Pittsburg-vs-Duke.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2019-10-07 16:55:482019-10-07 16:55:48Pittsburgh Holds On, Cuts Duke’s Fourth Quarter Comeback Short
Take home the title for the Carolina Panthers! Sign up by October 7 for your chance to represent the Carolina Panthers in the Madden NFL 20 Club Championship as you take your favorite team to the top of this EA Major Series.
The top four Panthers gamers will be flown to California to participate in a live studio show to determine who will represent the Panthers in the official Madden NFL 20 Club Championship!
• Fans are able to register for the Madden Club Championship under their favorite team.
• The top four players that register as Panthers fans will then be flown to California to compete to be the top Panthers player in the Studio Show. Each NFL team’s Studio Show winner will then compete against each other in the Madden NFL 20 Club Championship.
November 21-23, 2019 – Panthers Studio Show
December 18-21, 2019 – Club Championship Live Finals
• Fans will be able to tune in to the Studio Show and the Championship via Twitch through EAMaddenNFL.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/wizsfbresize_0001s_0008_460x460-panthers-banner.png.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2019-09-27 16:52:292019-09-27 16:52:29Register to Represent Carolina Panthers in the Madden NFL 20 Club Championship
